Back again. I haven't been as busy these past weeks as I'd like to have been. It seems that I have been one a long road...and there is no end in site.
Most of your preppers out there would have to admit that there really is no end in sight in getting prepared for TEOTWAWKI. There is always something to do, something to buy and ALWAYS another idea or tip out there.
When I start to get a little anxiety over the latest economic news I try to rationalize that I am much better off than I was nine months ago. At least I have a re-location plan, a Survival Bug Out Bag, some stored food - both the long term storage and more short term food,.....I have a growing cache near the cabin. I have some Silver coins (for their silver melt value) as well as some Silver bullion in the form of one ounce rounds. I have a Survival firearms battery of a 12 gauge shotgun, a .22 LR pistol and a Mosin-Nagant rifle. I also have a .22 LR up at the cabin in cache.
Again, haven't been as busy as I'd like. Still considering an AR type M-4 rifle or something similar. Urban Man also had me look at Ruger Mini-14's which I really like but they are only about $250-$300 cheaper than an M-4. Urban Man says the two disadvantages with the Ruger Mini-14, compared to the AR rifles, are the lack of magazine compatibility with the millions of M-4 and available magazines, and, the inherent inaccuracy versus the M-4. I'm not too concerned about the accuracy thing since I am not really a shooter, but I do intend to get better and maybe attend a shooting school.
These past weeks I did however get some 3/4 inch plywood and two by fours cut for the windows of my house. Found a couple picnic bench tables at a flea market which will form the basis of shooting platforms from my small basement windows.
I also picked up six rolls of duct tape, a roll of 3 mil black and clear plastic sheeting and some small hand tools: I bought a folding metric and standard allen wrench set and some small open/box wrenches; a hammer and several boxes of nails from 8D to 16D; plus a hacksaw and small hand rip saw.
This coming week I am supposed to go with Urban Man to the range and shoot my shotgun and handgun some more - so that means more ammunition. At the last couple range sessions Urban Man has been letting me shoot several handguns to see what I may be interested in. These include: a Glock 19 in 9mm; a Glock 22 in .40 S&W; a Smith and Wesson M&P in 9mm; two H&K handguns - a USP-C and a P2000 both in .40 S&W; and, a Smith and Wesson 586 .357 Magnum revolver.
Haven't heard from Neomi, probably better since she told me about having to include her mother and sister and children into any Survival plan she is a part of. Still I have to be prepared for people who show up at my place at the beginning or into a economic or other collapse asking for refuge. And undoubtedly Neomi and her relatives would be among the first, unless she gets a boyfriend first, ha ha.
Anyway, I think I am getting better, how about you?
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
Urban Survival Planning - Required 1099's when buying Gold and Silver
In case you haven't heard, one of the add ins to the Obamacare Healthcare Law that was passed a few months back,...passed without being read by anyone I might add, was a requirement for business and vendors to issue 1099 forms to anyone they do business with in commodities of a value of $600 or more.
So I have heard some Survivalists saying "Fine, then I won't make gold or silver purchases of more than $600 at any one time." And that would be okay, but I recently heard that this new reporting requirement was $600 or more in any one calendar year!
SO my view on this is that buying large amounts, over $600, of precious metals (PM's) in any one calendar year now creates an automatic register with the IRS, so if the Government rescinds the current law on PM ownership or otherwise restricts ownership and mandates a turn in of Gold and Silver, they will have a curent list of people owning gold and silver and can track turn in.
I also think that this would be such a large endeavor as to make it unrealistic to enforce, but I for one do not ant my name on a Federal Warrant or even a watch list for suspected PM ownership withour compliance of turn in.
I am interested in other Survivalist's views on this.
So I have heard some Survivalists saying "Fine, then I won't make gold or silver purchases of more than $600 at any one time." And that would be okay, but I recently heard that this new reporting requirement was $600 or more in any one calendar year!
SO my view on this is that buying large amounts, over $600, of precious metals (PM's) in any one calendar year now creates an automatic register with the IRS, so if the Government rescinds the current law on PM ownership or otherwise restricts ownership and mandates a turn in of Gold and Silver, they will have a curent list of people owning gold and silver and can track turn in.
I also think that this would be such a large endeavor as to make it unrealistic to enforce, but I for one do not ant my name on a Federal Warrant or even a watch list for suspected PM ownership withour compliance of turn in.
I am interested in other Survivalist's views on this.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Urban Survival Planning - Influenza Immunizations
Subject: Influenza Vaccinations
The 2010-2011 influenza (flu) season is right around the corner and the Government is recommending all citizens get a flu shot. Seasonal influenza kills an estimated 36,000 people in the United States each year. Flu vaccines are based on predicting which mutants of H1N1, H3N2, H1N2, and influenza B will spread in the next season. Separate vaccines are developed for the Northern and Southern hemispheres in preparation for the yearly migration of these influenzas.
This year, the vaccine in the United States provides protection against the three most concerning types of influenza: influenza A/H1N1 (Swine Flu), influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B.
The Government states that the best way to protect yourself and your family from these viruses is to get immunized against influenza, even though, again, it is based on last years virus. It is also very important to wash your hands frequently, shield your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow, and if you are sick, stay home and remain at home until you have been without a fever for 24 hours.
Pharmacies and physicians have already started offering flu shots. The government makes this available to all employees and in fact in the military this is a mandatory shot. If you have concerns about whether you are eligible for the flu shot this year, due to age or existing physical conditions then please check with your physician.
The key is not to wait until the people around you are coming down with the flu. Get vaccinated early and stay healthy.
Now, having repeated the Party (Government ) Line in the above paragraphs, I have to admit that I do not get Flu shots anymore. I have not had a flu shot since I was in a position where they were mandatory as a "condition of employment". I have not been sick, at all, for almost six years, and during that time I have been exposed to sick people and other disease conditions. My personal view is that an exceptional healthy individual is better off letting his own immune system deal with any virus. However, everyone has to make their own decision. Good luck and hope you make the right decision for you and your family.
The 2010-2011 influenza (flu) season is right around the corner and the Government is recommending all citizens get a flu shot. Seasonal influenza kills an estimated 36,000 people in the United States each year. Flu vaccines are based on predicting which mutants of H1N1, H3N2, H1N2, and influenza B will spread in the next season. Separate vaccines are developed for the Northern and Southern hemispheres in preparation for the yearly migration of these influenzas.
This year, the vaccine in the United States provides protection against the three most concerning types of influenza: influenza A/H1N1 (Swine Flu), influenza A/H3N2 and influenza B.
The Government states that the best way to protect yourself and your family from these viruses is to get immunized against influenza, even though, again, it is based on last years virus. It is also very important to wash your hands frequently, shield your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow, and if you are sick, stay home and remain at home until you have been without a fever for 24 hours.
Pharmacies and physicians have already started offering flu shots. The government makes this available to all employees and in fact in the military this is a mandatory shot. If you have concerns about whether you are eligible for the flu shot this year, due to age or existing physical conditions then please check with your physician.
The key is not to wait until the people around you are coming down with the flu. Get vaccinated early and stay healthy.
Now, having repeated the Party (Government ) Line in the above paragraphs, I have to admit that I do not get Flu shots anymore. I have not had a flu shot since I was in a position where they were mandatory as a "condition of employment". I have not been sick, at all, for almost six years, and during that time I have been exposed to sick people and other disease conditions. My personal view is that an exceptional healthy individual is better off letting his own immune system deal with any virus. However, everyone has to make their own decision. Good luck and hope you make the right decision for you and your family.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Urban Survival Equipment - 5.11 Items and Equipment
5.11 Tactical is currently offering Free Shipping on all orders of only $75 or more. We are big fans of their Tactical Pants and the 5.11 Tactical Duty Uniform (TDU) pants. Although we have camouflage uniforms, clothing in solid colors is less likely to project that "para-military" look if you need to avoid it but still have a pastal or earth type colors that are easy to blend into your terrain, be it an urban, suburban or rural environment.
We evaluated the 5.11 Tactical Pants in a previous post, to review this evaluation click here.
We recently had a opportunity to evaluate the new 5.11 Rush 24 and Rush 72 Backpacks, intended for stays of 24 and 72 hours respectively. Both make nice Survival Bug Out Bags. We are showcasing the Rush 24 here. We prefer smaller bags for Bug Out bags and intend to utilize molle compatible add on pouches to store more Survival Items essential to a Bug Out on the outside. We think the Rush 72 is much more than a 72 hour pack, and really an excellent pack for extended operations of up to 6 or 7 days.
Rush 24 Bag
Description of the Rush 24:
20" H x 12" W x 7" D
Water-resistant 1050-denier nylon
Flexible main storage compartments
Internal dividers
Compression straps
Hydration pocket
Fleece lined eyewear pocket
Sternum straps
Molle-compatible webbing on front and sides
Elastic keeper for strap ends
Name tape and flag holder
YKK® zippers
Three colors; Black, Flat Dark Earth and Tac OD
To shop 5.11 Tactical or to look around their product line, click here:
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